לָהֵן (la.hen)
la.hen
therefore
H:ConjQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:Conj
Word Overview
The Hebrew word lahen functions as a logical connector, translating to "therefore" or "on this account." It serves to link a conclusion directly to the reasoning that precedes it, signaling that what follows is a necessary result of the previous statement.
This term appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Ruth 4:7. Here, it explains the custom of redeeming land by removing a sandal. The narrator uses lahen to clarify that this symbolic act was done "on this account," providing the cultural rationale for the legal transaction described in the narrative.
Its extreme rarity makes it a unique marker in the text. Rather than being a common conjunction, its single occurrence anchors the specific historical practice in Ruth to a broader understanding of Israelite inheritance laws, ensuring the reader grasps the significance of the action without ambiguity.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word lahen appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, found in Ruth 4:7. It functions as a logical connector, meaning "therefore" or "on this account." In its context, it clarifies why a specific legal custom—removing a sandal—was performed during land redemption. The narrator uses it to show that the action was not arbitrary but a necessary result of the preceding explanation.
For your faith life, this rare word reminds us that God’s ways often have deep cultural and logical roots. When Scripture describes an unusual practice, it invites us to look closer at the reasons behind it. Understanding these details helps us appreciate the care God took in preserving His people’s history and laws.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- ¿/ therefore2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הֲ/לָהֵן֙1×
- הֲ/לָהֵ֣ן\׀1×